Malaysia Defiant Despite Being Stripped Of Paralympic Event over Its Resistance

Local Editor

Malaysia’s government remained defiant despite losing the rights to host the World Para Swimming Championships after it bravely voiced its resistance against the Zionist occupation regime by banning “Israelis” from competing in the event.

The event is a qualifying competition for the 2020 Tokyo Paralympics.

In further details, Malaysian Sports Minister Syed Saddiq Syed Abdul Rahman said Malaysia will not compromise on its decision “on the ground of humanity and compassion for the Palestinian plight.”

The ban prompted the International Paralympic Committee on Sunday to withdraw Malaysia’s hosting rights. The event involves some 70 countries and was to be staged July 29-August 4.

The government earlier this month said no “Israeli” delegates can enter Malaysia for sporting or other events in solidarity with the Palestinians.

A mainly Muslim country, Malaysia is a strong supporter of the Palestinian cause and does not have diplomatic relations with the apartheid entity.

Its prime minister, Mahathir Mohamad said the “Israeli” swimmers would not be let into the country, and his foreign minister, Saifuddin Abdullah, said the country “will not host any more events involving ‘Israel’ or its representatives.”

A week ago, Mahathir argued that it was his country’s “right” to deny entry to “Israelis”. Speaking before Oxford University’s prestigious debating chamber, the Oxford Union, Mohamad said that “a country has the right to keep its borders closed to certain people, that’s why borders are there.”

Malaysia stopped “Israeli” athletes from competing in a sporting event before. Two “Israeli” windsurfers had to pull out of a competition on the island of Langkawi after they were refused visas in 2015.

Malaysia also refused to host a conference for world soccer’s governing body FIFA in 2017 as an “Israeli” delegation was due to attend.

Source: News Agencies, Edited by website team